Enjoy and play with them while teaching. Never make them feel like you are a teacher and they must listen to you, always. Be friendly, get mixed up with their favorite activities. If possible, engage them with computers and help them understand and enjoy e-learning teaching programs. Start a healthy competition and encourage kids to do better. These are the best possible things I can suggest to you besides following what other members advised here. Good Luck

I have several children, and each of them have had different needs as preschoolers. I think the best thing that we can do is allow each child to be different. If they are ready for learning at age 4, then do it... But if they need more time, give it to them.

Young children should not be using the computer, period. Computers are only a small step up from TV in terms of damaging their attention span. They should be playing with building blocks, looking at picture books (if they can't read yet), doing arts and crafts, playing games, etc. They can maybe be introduced to computers in a limited manner after they can read and do basic math.

Theodore wrote:Young children should not be using the computer, period. Computers are only a small step up from TV in terms of damaging their attention span. They should be playing with building blocks, looking at picture books (if they can't read yet), doing arts and crafts, playing games, etc. They can maybe be introduced to computers in a limited manner after they can read and do basic math.

I really donâ€™t agree with you! I have been a teacher for the past 30+ years or so and I have dealt with thousands of kids (that includes my sons and grandsons). Itâ€™s very, very important for children to ENJOY what they are learning. Enjoy and play with them while teaching. I personally prefer to teach small kids with an e-learning program. You know, a child can learn better and faster in a fun, interactive learning environment. Having fun while learning improves their ability to learn. Let it be enjoyable and let a child learn at his or her own pace. Research has proved that introducing computers for learning at an early stage enhances a childâ€™s performances later in life; also, e-learning program makes a child much more active and smarter than traditional readers. If you want to see the evidence, I can show you some, if you like!

I'm going to challenge you on "research has proven". All the research I've seen indicates that electronic mediums erode attention span in young children, and even if we assume for the sake of argument computer software that doesn't erode attention span, real-life activities are always going to be as good or better for brain development. The only exceptions I might concede are math drill, some language arts, etc. - but those fall under the heading of "after reading and basic math". For preschool and kindergarten-age children, computers are only really clearly superior for saving you - the teacher - supervisory time.

To rebut, please post links to major studies supporting your position. I'll be looking closely at sampling size (should be at least 800-1000+), methodology, duration (need to follow the children for years), and who's funding the studies. I should note, incidently, that I have no vested interest either way, and I happen to really enjoy computers - I just think they can be highly distracting and your brain needs to be prepped before you start using them.

Itâ€™s true- human interaction, real life activities cannot be replaced with computer activities. My point of view is different! As a teacher, you try lots of things to actually teach the child, but many times your student doesnâ€™t love it. He/she needs some fun while learning and needs to love what she/he is doing, most importantly. Here comes the role of technology... as i said â€œa child can learn better and faster in a fun, interactive learning environment. Having fun while learning improves their ability to learnâ€

Computer learning is fun for kids, but it should be a small part of their overall learning, not the main source of learning, especially for young children. There should be more tactile learning. Often people use computer programs because they are unsure of HOW to teach kids, and the computer program has been developed by "leading educators" . Teaching is easier than you think, there are so many resources available to you. I have a blog preschoolmommy.blogspot.com where I post my complete lesson plans. I also have games for letter learning on there. Developmentally, young children should be spending time exploring with the most important person in their little lives, you!

I also believe that computer education should be part of kindergatrten but should not depend solely on it. Art and c raft activities with rhymes and fingerplays, tour and trips would add more benefit to the kids at kindergarten.

Hi I'm new Kindergarten Teacher. I don't have any experience in this field so I was looking for such kind of tips since long time so that I can easily get settled with my kindergartener. Good see your post. Thanks for this post.

Hi, I know that this is an older thread, but I feel it is still relevant today. I am going to come in on the side of Theodore on this one. Computers should not be used for learning at a very young age. Children have been learning for thousands of years without the computer. There is nothing better than the hands on aspect of child learning. Teaching children to love to read with a book in there hand is an experience that should be cherished. Children may have the illusion of attention when engaging in the computer, but it is the same illusion of attention that they have in watching TV. It has been proven that too much TV is bad for children, so it would be safe to conclude that the same would be for computer usage. It is important to have our children develop a fundamental knowledge of reading and math before they can use the computer.